The Japan Times

Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks

Honda and Nissan were poised Monday to announce the start of talks on a merger to help the Japanese giants catch up with Chinese rivals and Tesla on electric vehicles.

Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries

Asian markets rose Monday after big gains on Wall Street, with traders welcoming below-forecast US inflation data that tempered worries that the Federal Reserve will take a more hawkish tone with interest rates next year.

Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority

President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday pledged to "stop the transgender lunacy" on day one of his presidency, as Republicans -- set to control both chambers of Congress and the White House -- continue their push against LGBTQ rights.

Sweet smell of success for niche perfumes

They don't advertise and they are largely unknown to the general public but niche perfumes are able to command prices of hundreds of dollars from men and women seeking to stand out.

'Finally, we made it!': Ho Chi Minh City celebrates first metro

Thousands of selfie-taking Ho Chi Minh City residents crammed into train carriages Sunday as the traffic-clogged business hub celebrated the opening of its first-ever metro line after years of delays.

Tunisia women herb harvesters struggle with drought and heat

On a hillside in Tunisia's northwestern highlands, women scour a sun-scorched field for the wild herbs they rely on for their livelihoods, but droughts and rising temperatures are making it ever harder to find the precious plants.

Trump threatens to take back control of Panama Canal

Incoming US president Donald Trump on Saturday slammed what he called unfair fees for US ships passing through the Panama Canal and threatened to demand control of the waterway be returned to Washington.

Stellantis backtracks on plan to lay off 1,100 at US Jeep plant

Stellantis confirmed Saturday it was reversing a decision to lay off 1,100 workers at its Jeep plant in the US state of Ohio, following the ouster of embattled chief executive Carlos Tavares.

Biden signs funding bill to avert government shutdown

US President Joe Biden signed a funding bill Saturday, the White House said, averting a Christmastime government shutdown after negotiations in Congress went down to the wire overnight.

Sorrow and fury in German town after Christmas market attack

The German city of Magdeburg was in mourning Saturday over a car-ramming attack that brought death and carnage to its Christmas market, but the sorrow gave way to anger when the politicians showed up.

France's most powerful nuclear reactor finally comes on stream

France on Saturday connected its most powerful nuclear power reactor to the national electricity grid in what leaders hailed as a landmark moment despite years of delays and technical setbacks.

Sierra Leone student tackles toxic air pollution

In his small Freetown workshop, engineering student James Samba tinkered with batteries and electrical parts he hoped could help clean up Sierra Leone's polluting public transport system.

Amazon says US strike caused 'no disruptions'

A US strike targeting Amazon in the peak festive period extended into a second day Friday as the retail behemoth said the labor action would not affect its business.

Qualcomm scores key win in licensing dispute with Arm

A federal jury in the United States on Friday delivered a key win to mobile commputing titan Qualcomm in a licensing dispute with Arm, although proceedings between the chipmakers ended in mistrial.

US approves first drug treatment for sleep apnea

US regulators on Friday approved the first drug treatment for sleep apnea, permitting the use of a weight-loss medication for the condition that affects millions of Americans.

Amazon expects no disruptions as US strike goes into 2nd day

A US strike targeting Amazon in the peak festive period extended into a second day Friday as the retail behemoth said the labor action would not affect its business.

US confirms billions in chips funds to Samsung, Texas Instruments

President Joe Biden's administration said Friday that it has cemented deals for billions in funding to South Korean semiconductor giant Samsung Electronics and Texas Instruments to boost their chipmaking facilities in the United States.

Wall Street rebounds despite US inflation ticking higher

Wall Street stocks bounced higher Friday despite data showing an uptick in inflation and a looming US government shutdown.

Argentina's dollar craze cools under greenback-loving Milei

"Dollars, selling dollars!" a money changer shouts to people streaming past in Buenos Aires' financial district.

'Dark lull' in German energy transition sparks political debate

As Germany heads for February 23 elections the grey winter weather has become a hot campaign topic because of its impact on the country's shaky green energy transition.

No longer Assad's mouthpiece, Syrian media face uncertainty

Syrian media outlets which trumpeted the glories of Bashar al-Assad's oppressive rule quickly adopted revolutionary fervour after his ouster, but uncertainty shadows the sector.

EU, Swiss hail 'historic' new deal resetting relations

The European Union and Switzerland announced Friday they had sealed a new set of agreements aimed at recalibrating relations between the two neighbours.

Two dead after Lapland tourist bus crash in Finland

Two people were killed and several injured when a bus and a minivan carrying tourists mainly from China and Singapore collided in Finnish Lapland, police said Friday.

Fed's favored inflation gauge edges higher in November

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure rose for a second straight month in November, according to government data published Friday, although the increase came in a touch below expectations.

Spain orders 25 more Eurofighter jets from Airbus

Spain has ordered another 25 advanced Eurofighter jets from European aerospace giant Airbus in the NATO member's drive to modernise its air force, the defence ministry said on Friday.

Fed's favored inflation gauge rises again in November

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure rose for a second straight month in November, according to government data published Friday, although the increase came in a touch below expectations.

French PM rushes to name new government by Christmas

France's new Prime Minister Francois Bayrou was Friday racing to name by Christmas at the latest a government to lead the country out of its political crisis but with no sign of an end to months of tensions that have rattled President Emmanuel Macron.

European stocks retreat further before US inflation data

European stock markets slid for a second session running Friday and the dollar dropped as investors grow concerned about the economic outlook for next year.

Markets struggle as traders digest Fed's hawkish pivot

Equities fell Friday while the dollar maintained gains against its peers as investors assessed the fallout from the Federal Reserve's revised outlook for interest rate cuts and prepared for a second Donald Trump presidency.

China lifts rock lobster ban, bringing end to Australian trade barriers

China has lifted a ban on imports of Australian live rock lobsters, Canberra said Friday, demolishing the final barrier in a broader, multibillion-dollar trade war between the countries.

Asian markets struggle as traders digest Fed's hawkish pivot

Equities mostly fell Friday while the dollar maintained gains against its peers as investors assessed the fallout from the Federal Reserve's revised outlook for interest rate cuts and prepared for a second Donald Trump presidency.

Medical help arrives by sea to Greece's isolated islands

Outside the school of one of Greece's smallest inhabited islands, Sikinos, two massive trucks have braved an eight-hour sea voyage to bring residents much-needed medical expertise in the depths of winter.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)

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